Inset: Nina Jaaskelainen (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area in Florida where Jaaskelainen allegedly attacked a mother and her infant walking their dog (Google Maps).
In a peculiar incident in Florida, a 54-year-old woman has found herself behind bars after allegedly dousing a mother, her baby, and their pet with coffee. The surprising altercation stemmed from the victim’s dog not being on a leash.
The woman, identified as Nina Jaaskelainen, was apprehended last week and now faces two battery charges, according to official records.
The series of events unfolded when deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office responded to an assault report on Quail Ranch Road at around 8:35 a.m. on November 14. The alleged incident had taken place on the property, prompting law enforcement to investigate.
As they made their way to the scene, deputies received word to redirect to the victim’s residence in nearby New Smyrna Beach, where she and her infant had retreated post-incident. This area lies approximately 40 miles northeast of Orlando.
The victim recounted to the authorities that she had been out for a walk with her baby and dog when they neared Jaaskelainen’s property. At that moment, Jaaskelainen was outside with her own pet.
The victim admitted that her dog was not leashed but insisted it remained “closely alongside” as they traversed an easement close to Jaaskelainen’s locked gate. As they approached, she alleged that Jaaskelainen began shouting at her, demanding that her dog be leashed.
“She stated the female then threw coffee on her dog while simultaneously stating her dog had been killed before,” the affidavit says. “[The victim] then began to argue with the female. [The victim] observed the female advance towards her gate approximately 20 feet and proceeded to throw coffee on her and [her baby].”
Shortly after the alleged coffee-toss, the victim began recording the interaction with Jaaskelainen. She provided the footage to police, who said Jaaskelainen could be seen standing “behind a gated fence with a light-colored coffee mug in her hand, engaging in a verbal argument with [the victim].”
Deputies also said they “observed dried coffee” on the victim, her infant son, and her dog, which they said was “supporting her statement.”
The victim then confirmed she wanted to press charges and deputies made contact with Jaaskelainen. When speaking to deputies, Jaaskelainen allegedly “confirmed that she had thrown coffee on [the victim’s] dog,” but she denied “intentionally throwing coffee” on either the victim or her baby.
“[Jaaskelainen] advised that her reason for throwing the coffee on [the] dog was that the dog was making her dog upset, and that she believed [the victim, her baby, and her dog] were on her property.”
She was then taken into custody without incident and held on $1,000 bond, records show.
Jaaskelainen is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on Dec. 1. Her criminal trial is currently slated to begin on Dec. 22.
